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Outside the Netherlands Embassy in Northwest D.C., a growing memorial displays an outpouring of support. The exterior of the embassy is marked by a sign of sympathy and flowers of nearly every color, with the flag at half-staff. (Published Friday, July 18, 2014)

Americans rattled by the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 — believed to have killed 298 people, most of them Dutch — are paying their respects at the Dutch Embassy in D.C., where flowers mark a growing memorial and where mourners will hold a candlelight vigil Friday evening.

"I can only imagine the pain and grief," said Dutch native Arno Zegerman, who was at the embassy Friday morning. "It's horrible news."

Dramatic Photos: Malaysia Airlines Plane Crashes in Ukraine

A sign of sympathy and flowers of nearly every color mark the outside of the embassy, and the flag is flying at half-staff.

The embassy staff is monitoring developments from afar. It said in a statement that Dutch Ambassador Rudolf Bekink joins government officials to demand an independent and transparent investigation into what happened in the skies over Ukraine on Thursday.

"The Netherlands is deeply shocked by the terrible air disaster involving flight MH17. We mourn all those who were on board, whatever their nationality," the statement read in part. "Our thoughts are with their loved ones, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. The Dutch government is doing all it can to gain clarity for the victims’ families as swiftly as possible."

Bekink also offered a message of condolences on wrote on Twitter. "My heart goes out to the passengers of MH17, their family and friends," he wrote.

Next week, the embassy will welcome the public into its lobby to offer their condolences by signing a registry. Those who wish to leave messages can do so between 10 a.m. and noon, and between 2 and 4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.